Organization · Accelerator
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is a nonprofit accelerator based in Portland, Maine, dedicated to supporting growth-oriented businesses through training, mentorship, and specialized programs. MCE has a strong focus on the food and beverage sector and collaborates with local partners to foster economic development.
Overview
What Maine Center for Entrepreneurs does
What Maine Center for Entrepreneurs is
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is a nonprofit accelerator based in Portland, Maine, dedicated to supporting growth-oriented businesses through training, mentorship, and specialized programs. MCE has a strong focus on the food and beverage sector and collaborates with local partners to foster economic development.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 1997
- Approximate age
- About 29 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Maine Center for Entrepreneurs elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs as a funder
Investment thesis
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) aims to foster a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing essential training, mentorship, and resources tailored to entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey.
Focus narrative
MCE focuses on supporting Maine entrepreneurs through various programs that provide hands-on training, mentorship, and resources tailored to the specific needs of businesses at different stages. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local partners to foster a diverse and inclusive economy in Maine.
Value beyond capital
MCE provides entrepreneurs with essential training, mentorship, and resources tailored to their specific needs, helping them to grow their businesses effectively. The organization connects startups with local partners and resources, fostering a supportive community for entrepreneurs in Maine.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Sectors
- Food & AgricultureConsumer
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 80
Portfolio context
MCE has supported over 80 Maine food and beverage companies through its Food Accelerator Programs, including the Cultivator and MarketShare initiatives. Notable alumni include Ocean Renewable Power Company, a leader in tidal power generation; Black Dinah Chocolatiers, a nationally recognized chocolate company; and Dream Local Digital, a digital marketing firm that has benefited from MCE's resources.
Capability profile
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs as a program host
Program thesis
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) aims to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing training, connections, coaching, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs grow their ideas, products, and services.
Focus narrative
MCE focuses on supporting Maine entrepreneurs through various programs that provide hands-on training, mentorship, and resources tailored to the specific needs of businesses at different stages. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local partners to foster a diverse and inclusive economy in Maine.
Value and support
MCE offers several programs designed for entrepreneurs, including mentorship, training, and resources tailored to different business stages. The organization also emphasizes collaboration with local partners to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 15 weeks
- Format
- In Person
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni include Ocean Renewable Power Company, a leader in tidal power generation; Black Dinah Chocolatiers, a nationally recognized chocolate company; and Dream Local Digital, a digital marketing firm that has benefited from MCE's resources.
Capability profile
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs as a community
Community overview
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and based in Portland, Maine. Its mission is to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing training, connections, coaching, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs grow their ideas, products, and services.
Community focus
MCE focuses on supporting Maine entrepreneurs through various programs that provide hands-on training, mentorship, and resources tailored to the specific needs of businesses at different stages. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local partners to foster a diverse and inclusive economy in Maine.
Member value
Members benefit from a range of programs designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources tailored to their business needs. MCE's initiatives aim to help entrepreneurs grow their ideas and connect with the local business community.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 80
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- moderate
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- May 12, 2026
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- accelerator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Food & Agriculture
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
- Annual events
- 2
Events and activity
MCE hosts several key events, including the Maine Entrepreneurs Summit, scheduled for May 12, 2026, at the USM Abromson Center, and the Maine Food Producers Showcase & Golden Fork Awards, set for October 8, 2026, celebrating local food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Notable members
Notable alumni of MCE include Ocean Renewable Power Company, a leader in tidal power generation; Black Dinah Chocolatiers, a nationally recognized chocolate company; and Dream Local Digital, a digital marketing firm that has benefited from MCE's resources.
Capability profile
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs as an event host
Event focus
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) focuses on supporting Maine entrepreneurs through various programs that provide hands-on training, mentorship, and resources tailored to the specific needs of businesses at different stages. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local partners to foster a diverse and inclusive economy in Maine.
Format narrative
MCE offers several programs designed for entrepreneurs, including the Top Gun Program, Cultivator, MarketShare, SmartLaunchCPG, and Visionary Leadership Program, which provide training, connections, and mentorship.
Participant value
MCE provides training, connections, coaching, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs grow their ideas, products, and services, fostering a supportive community for growth-oriented businesses in Maine.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- summit and awards-ceremony
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
- Next recorded event
- May 12, 2026
- Next event location
- USM Abromson Center
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include Tom Rainey, Executive Director, and Laurie Johnson, Top Gun Program Manager.
Past editions
MCE has supported over 80 Maine food and beverage companies through its Food Accelerator Programs, including notable alumni such as Ocean Renewable Power Company, Black Dinah Chocolatiers, and Dream Local Digital.
Common questions
What to know about Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Upseed classifies Maine Center for Entrepreneurs under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.